QUETTA: Kalat State has acceded to the Dominion of Pakistan, His Highness Mr Ahmad Yar Khan, Ruler of Kalat, announced in a communique issued in Quetta today [March 28]. The communique contradicted the Indian States Ministry’s claim that Kalat had asked for accession to India and revealed that His Highness decided to finally accede to Pakistan at 9 p.m. on March 27 when he heard that “false news” from All-India Radio.

[According to] the communique: “… Prima facie this is nothing but a piece of false propaganda carried on by an interested section in India with two motives behind it: First, to spoil the negotiations that are at present being conducted between Pakistan and Kalat and, secondly, to give a false impression to the world that they are right in their policy in respect of Kashmir, Junagadh and Hyderabad (Deccan).

“Let me make it clear in unequivocal terms that no earthly power can separate Kalat and its Ruler from Pakistan as we are all Muslims… . We have to live and die together. We perhaps have differences, but not to the extent that may cause disunity and lead to separation… .” — News agencies

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2023